101 sets of new PPE go to 24 Kan. FDs across 3 counties

TOPEKA, Kan. — Volunteer fire departments across Kansas are receiving new protective gear to enhance their safety and effectiveness.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office has distributed 101 sets of PPE bunker gear to 24 volunteer departments, including those in Hanover, Jackson County, Morris County and Washington County, WIBW reported.

According to the office, many volunteer fire departments in Kansas struggle with limited funding to replace outdated equipment, which significantly affects their ability to recruit and retain firefighters.

“Speaking with volunteer fire departments across the state this year, the common theme was the lack of quality gear. Often times gear is used, handed down, expired, or mixed gear put together and shared by multiple volunteers,” State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm said. “Our goal this year was to focus on the volunteer fire departments that were in need the most of replacing old, outdated and missing gear.”

Fiscal year 2025 Kansas volunteer firefighter grant award recipients:

• Allen County Rural Volunteer Fire Department
• Marion County Fire District #2
• Belleville Fire Department
• Moline Fire Department
• Cawker City Fire Department
• Morris County Fire District #13
• Cheney Volunteer Fire Department
• Mt. Pleasant Rural Fire Department #4
• Clifton Fire Department
• Nashville Fire Department
• Delphos Rural & City Fire Department
• Powhattan Fire Department
• Ellinwood Fire Department
• Randall Rural Fire Department
• Galesburg Volunteer Fire Department
• Sawyer Rural Fire District
• Hanover Rural Fire District #10
• South Haven Fire Department
• Jackson County Rural Fire District #7
• Sumner County Fire District #8
• Jewell City & Rural Fire Department
• Washington County Fire District #6
• Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department
• Washington County Rural Fire District #8

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